F-14 A

The F-14A Tomcat was designed to replace the F-4 Phantoms as the Navy's main interceptor, Some F-14A was also specially fitted with TARP to replace the RF-8G in 1981. The F-14A Tomcat proved to be a much more superior fighter compare to any fighter in the late 70's. When compared, the F-14A has an improvement of 21% in acceleration and sustained G-Force, 20% increase in rate of climb, 27% increase in maneuvering capability and 40% in turning radius. The pilot is seated in a Martin-Baker GRU7A rocket assisted zero/zero ejection seat, under a one-piece canopy.

The F-14A wings are made out of one TI-6A1-4V titanium alloy with a width of 6.71m. The fuselage has machined frames, which consist of titanium main longerons and light alloy skins; the center fuselage is a fuel carrying box. Fuel dump can be found at the extreme end of the aircraft. Fins and rudder are made out of light alloy honeycomb sandwich and the tailplanes consist of multiple spars, honeycomb trailing edges and boron/epoxy composite skins.



Hughes AWG-9
Electronically the F-14A Tomcat is fitted with an AWG-9 fire control system representing the most capable long-range interceptor today. The AWG-9 is a heft 1,293lb. /28cu ft liquid cooled package with the vital coherent pulse doppler mode for look down capability, its antenna is a 36-inch flat plate unit; the output power is 10.2 kilowatt. Early Tomcats was fitted with the AN/ALR-32 infrared detection fitted just under the nose. The AN/ALR-32 would proved to be ineffective and later replaced by Northrop AXX-1 TV Camera set (TCS). A TV screen is installed inside the Tomcat and the pilot is able to identify other fighter with the TCS. The F-14A is also fitted with a CP-1066/A Central Air Data Computer (CADC) and a CO-1050/A computer signal data converter; it is used to determine the best angle for the sweep wing by collecting data from the sensors. The F-14A uses the AVA-12 vertical situation display and electronically separated but mechanically integrated HUD along with an AN/ASA-79 multiple display indicator groups. The F-14A also housed the APX-71 IFF transponder, AXX-76 interrogator, ARC-51/159 UHF Radio, KY-58 cryptographic system, APN-154 beacon augmenter, ASN-92 NAV system, APN-194 radar altimeter, ARN 84 TACAB and ARA 50 automatic direction finder. It is also fitted by an ALR-50 SAM warning system and an AN/ALQ-126A deception jammer.

One of the great weakness of the Tomcat is its under power engine. The F-14A is equipped with the ill under powered TF30-P-412 Pratt & Whitney axial flow turbo fan. The engine produces 12,350 lb. of dry thrust and 20,900-lb. afterburn. Merely enough to lift a 70,764lb fully loaded F-14A.

Common problem that occurred with the engine involves threaded fan blade, low speed compressor stall especially at high altitude and low speed. To combat this problem P-414 was installed, although it is an improvement compared to the P-412, it still has its own problem at high altitude.

The F-14A is designed to carry Air to Air weapons including the AIM-54, AIM-7E Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder. Although the F-14A was designed to have ground capability, it is only capable of carrying retard bombs. Only later versions of Tomcats can carry other versions of ground ordnance.

F-14B

Under powered, Grumman suggested to the Navy that the F-14A Tomcat needed a more powerful engine. During that time, there were two engine available for selection, General Electric's GE1/10 and Pratt & Whitney's JTF22 (later became F401-P-400), it was decided that JTF22 would be fitted to the BuNo 157986 for testing. The JTF22 provides 16,400 thrust dry and 28,000 lb. in afterburn. Grumman believed that the new engine was capable of increasing the Tomcats turning radius by 40%, 21% in sustaining g-capability and 80% greater in radius capability.

With the Vietnam War draining Navy's budget along with production problem with the F401 turbofan, the plan was abandoned on April 1974. Unfortunately for the Tomcat and the US navy, there was no solution for TF-30 engines.

7 years later, the plane that would be the F-14B test plane would become the F-14A+ and F-14D test plane equipped with the General Electric F101 turbo fan.


The F-14B Test Plane
F-14C

Seeking to replace the Navy strike fighters, the F-14C was proposed. It is basically the same as the F-14B, except it has ground capability added to it. With the high cost of the Tomcat, the plan was abandoned even before it got to the factory. The navy instead decided to buy more Intruders and start the VFAX program.

F-14 A+

The F-14A+ main upgrade was the engine but also new electronic systems such as Fairchild AN/AWG-15F fire control set, AN/ALR-69, ARC-182 UHF-VHF radio and an improved direct lift system. The problem of dangerous engine flameout was also fixed in this version.

The first F-14A+ first flew on July 14th 1981 at Calverton. It was powered by two General Electric F101 (later renamed as F110) turbofan, providing 16,400 lb. thrust dry and 27,400 lb. afterburn.

With the new engine installed the Tomcats interception radius is increased by 62% and provided the possibility of having carrier takeoff without afterburners. Subsequently, the F-14A+ was re-designated as the F-14B. 38 was ordered as new built while 32 was upgraded from F-14A. A total of 6 squadron received the F-14A+ (F-14B) from 1988.

The F-14A+ has a larger engine exhaust compare to the F-14A, the A+ model also had its gun door modified and new systems such as AN/ARL-67 RWR, fatigue/engine monitoring system and AN/ARC-182 UHF/VHF were installed to the A+.

The first Squadron to receive the A+(B) was the VF-74, and up to six squadrons has received the F-14A+/B (most in the Atlantic).

F-14D

Unlike the F-14A+, the F-14D was designed to have digital avionics. The F-14D first flew on 9th February 1990 from Grumman's Claverton plant. Powered by the same engine as the F-14A+, the D version included the new Hughes APG-71 (similar to the Eagles APG-70), AN/ALR-67 Radar Warning Receiver, AB/ALQ-165 airborne self-protection jammer, ASN-130 digital navigational system, ASN-139 laser inertial navigation system and a dual AKY-14 standard airborne computer which connected all avionics digitally.

The APG-71 is one of the most advanced radar around during the time of introduction. Its 5kW output gives it a search range of 370km. It also allows the Tomcats to link up with other various aircraft through JTIDS (Joint Tactical Information Distribution Systems). The APG-71 also processes information faster than the AWG-9. The radar is also capable of ground mapping. 55 Hughes APG-71 radar was delivered before the D version production came to a halt.

The pilots now have the new Martin Baker NACES ejection system along with 2 new HUDs providing multi function display. In the backseat, the analog instrument is replaced by a multi function display. Fitted in the F-14 is the ALQ-165 Electronic counter measures, one of the most advance jammer available to US fighters.



The Dual Chin Pod that house both the Camera set and IRST
Externally, the F-14D has a dual pod under its nose that house both the Television Camera system and the IRST (Infrared search and Track system). The IRST allows the pilot to identify targets up to 190km away.

Unlike all previous F-14 versions, the F-14D tomcat is capable of carrying wide range of ground ordnance including LANTIRN and in the near future the JDAM, and it is also planned to carry HARM and AMRAAM. One feature of the F-14D tomcat with previous versions is that it is capable of carry TARP without needing special wiring.

Only 37 new built F-14D and 18 out of planned 400 upgrades has been delivered to the Navy. VF-11 was the first deployable squadron to receive the F-14D, while VF-134; VF-124, VF-31 and VF-101 also received the F-14D. The F-14D Tomcat program was cut by "Secretary Cheney" and all F-14D tomcat production was officially terminated in March 1990.


The Main Difference Between the D Tomcat and the A is its engine outlet and its dual chinpod
F/A-14D

Like the F-15 family, the plan was to upgrade all F-14 to have ground capability, it would first involve upgrading the Tomcat into F-14D standard (digital avionics, F110 engines) while AN/ALE-50 towed decoy, a navigation FLIR and night vision cockpit would be added later. And at the final stage, software mode from the F-15E APG-71 would be added. This would enable doppler bean sharpening, synthetic aperture, sea surface search and terrain following mode.

F-14T and F-14X

Both version of the Tomcat was proposed in the 70's when the Tomcat's cost seems to be hindering the program. Both versions involve the Tomcat carrying fewer missiles and have less avionics capability. The T version would have only sparrows and sidewinders, having not much more superiority over the crusaders and phantom.

The X version would carry either Phoenix or none at all and have its radar capability downgraded. But both plans were scrapped after Israel suggested that the US Navy should equip themselves with the best plane possible.

F-14 Quick Strike

With the Navy losing its primary attack aircraft. The quick strike was proposed to fulfil the intruder. The quick strike would be similar to the F/A-14 and similar avionics to the F-15E strike eagle, it would have longer flying time and have 4 hard points under its fuselage each carrying 5 substations. Proposed weapons include HARM, Harpoon, SLAM and Mavericks.

But with the success of the Super Hornet all future tomcat program was cut.

Tomcat 21/Attack Tomcat 21

The Tomcat 21 claimed to offer 90% of the Navy's Advanced Tactical Fighter requirement at the 60% of the cost. The F-14 Tomcats 21's goal would be similar to the F-22 Raptors, although it would be similar to the Quick Strike, Tomcat 21 would also have a reduction in radar cross section (harder for radar to pick up) by using RAMS and composite materials. The Tomcat21 could also achieve supercruise with the proposed F110-GE-129 and possibly thrust vectoring capability making it more maneuverable in a dogfight.

Externally, like the Super Hornet it would have its surface area increased to store more fuel. The Super Tomcat would also be capable of a "no-wind carrier take off" or "normal carrier take off" with the increased lift slotted flaps fitted. It would also have its avionics upgraded into modern day standards (digital and faster processing speeds).

The Attack Tomcat21 would be have a thicker outer wing panels (similar to the F-15E Strike Eagle), and refined flaps which would give the Attack Tomcat reduced carrier approach. It would also have a greater fuel capacity which is needed for strike aircraft.The Attack Tomcat would be fitted with advanced avionics which was planned for the A-12 Avenger II.




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